Performances shine in ‘Candle’
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| Matthew Carroll and Chelsea Hockaday star in "Bell Book and Candle." Photo provided |
By Andrew Tallackson
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY — At first, it seems odd that Canterbury Summer Theatre would begin to draw its season to a close with the low-key “Bell Book and Candle.” It’s been a stellar season, with spectacular moments, but John van Druten’s romantic tale doesn’t exactly have much flash to it.
But midway through the show, you realize something. These Canterbury performers don’t have anything to prove. These are very, very talented people. The performances are so good, the play exists as an exercise in what acting should be.
The story is simple. Gillian Holroyd (Chelsea Hockaday) is a witch living in New York who falls for publisher Shepherd Henderson (Matthew Carroll), who lives upstairs, but doesn’t seem interested in her.
That changes after she casts a spell that instantly has him falling hard for her. There’s a catch, of course. If Gillian falls in love with Shep, she loses her powers as a witch.
But midway through the show, you realize something. These Canterbury performers don’t have anything to prove. These are very, very talented people. The performances are so good, the play exists as an exercise in what acting should be.
The story is simple. Gillian Holroyd (Chelsea Hockaday) is a witch living in New York who falls for publisher Shepherd Henderson (Matthew Carroll), who lives upstairs, but doesn’t seem interested in her.
That changes after she casts a spell that instantly has him falling hard for her. There’s a catch, of course. If Gillian falls in love with Shep, she loses her powers as a witch.
“Bell Book and Candle” was directed by Canterbury veteran Joe Ginnane, who lets the action flow smoothly and quickly. He stays out of the way of his actors and simply lets them have fun.
Hockaday is rarely off the stage. She maintains the same high energy level from start to finish, never allowing Gillian’s sense of spirit to flounder. As for Carroll, this is the most charismatic he’s been all season. Shep is a man who gradually realizes the woman he loves isn’t the woman he once believed her to be, and the confusion and frustration Carroll exudes at times offers a jolt.
Two of the season’s prime scene-stealers, Shane Miller and especially Danielle Gendron, are loads of fun as Gillian’s brother Nicky and Aunt Queenie, respectively, with Gendron clearly relishing playing a woman who’s game for mischief.
This is highly polished entertainment. It lacks the wow factor, but you won’t find better performances than this.Contact Andrew Tallackson at atallackson@thenewsdispatch.com.
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